Device for cleaning the tubes of automobile radiators and the like



May 26, 1953 J. s. ROUSE DEVICE FOR CLEANING THE TUBES oF AUTOMOBILE RADIAIORS AND THE LIKE Flled May 20, 1947 FIG.4

INVENTOR. J.,S. RO U S E ATTORNEY Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR CLEANING THE TUBES OF AUTOMOBILE RADIATORS AND THE LIKE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to cleaning and more particularly to the removal of impedimenta from heat transfer units, such as automobile radiators, through which water or other fluid in the cooling system is circulated for dissipation of its heat to the air passing thereover.

The operation of automobiles is sometimes unsatisfactory due to the failure or reduction in efficiency of the cooling system caused by interference with the circulation of the cooling fluid. Examination has revealed that frequently the cause of this is the accumulation of rust, grease and other matter in the tubes of the radiator. It is therefore necessary to unclog the radiator to permit free circulation of water or cooling fluid and in accomplishing this it has been customary to use a relatively thin elongated member of bar or rod stock and force the same axially through the individual tubes of the radiator.

A conventional device is a thin narrow flexible steel member approximately 30 inches long, inch in width, and about -31- of an inch in thickness. With the use of this device it has been possible to unclog the radiator tubes. However, handling of the rod has been a problem due to the fact that a substantial amount of power was necessary to force the rod in both directions through a clogged tube and frequently has resulted in injury to and soiling of the hand and person of the operator. Another problem has been the tendency of the flexible radiator rod to fold or double upon itself when in use.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a radiator rod or tube cleaning tool of a character to afford the mechanic using the rod a rm grip on the rod to facilitate the forcing of the rod into or through the radiator tubes and to prevent the same from bending unduly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiator rod by the use of which time can be saved in the cleaning of a radiator due to the fact that the rod can be forced through the radiator tubes more easily and with greater rapidity.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiator rod which can be used more easily with less loss of time while affording the mechanic protection from injury to his person and from cuts on his hand through the sharp edges of the rod as well as protection to his hands and clothing from the matter dislodged from the interior of the tubes of the radiator.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective illustrating the use of the invention;

Fig. 2, a longitudinal section through the device constituting the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3, an enlarged cross section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4, an enlarged cross section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

With continued reference to the drawings, in order to unstop a radiator that has become clogged it is rst removed from the automobile and its upper and lower sections unsoldered therefrom leaving the tubes I0, having the fins II thereon, exposed at their ends for cleaning. This portion or core of the radiator is adapted to be placed on a horizontal support I2 having ledges or stops I3 for limiting the movement of the radiator so that it can be held rigidly against movement in either direction axially of the tubes.

The cleaning rod yof the present invention is formed of a relatively thin flat elongated strip or blade I4 having a hollow or tubular handle I5 at one end.l The strip or blade is spaced inwardly of the hollow handle by means of a connectingvportion It with the parts held in assembled relation by means of bolts I6. The blade I4 and the handle I5 when separate from the remainder of the device somewhat resemble a fencing foil except that the blade has greater flexibility.

The blade or cleaning rod, which in the past has not been provided with a handle, is adapted to be inserted endwise into the tubes I0 of the radiator for removing scale or other stoppage. When used without a handle the rod is difficult to hold and it is more difficult to prevent the hand from coming in Contact with the rough ends of the radiator tubes which frequently cause injury. By the use of the handle I5 a firm grip is provided due to the depressions formed between projections I'I of the handle in which the fingers of the hand are adapted to be received.

Because of its thinness and flexibility when the rod is used, it is inclined to bend or double upon itself. In order to reinforce the rod a casing or housing I8 is provided having an opening or slot I9 in one side so that the handle can be moved longitudinally of the sheath I8 with the connection between the handle and the rod slidable in such opening or slot.

To provide suitable means for holding the casing I8, a handle 20 is provided at the lower end of the casing or housing in which the rod is adapted to be reciprocated. Said handle forms a tubular extension of housing I8 and has the inner sides thereof converging inwardly as shown in Fig. 2 and provides a flattened passage for flexible blade I4 as shown in Fig. 4. This flat passage merges into the passage of the handle 20 and housing i8 whereby a blade may easily be insertedin assembling the device and maybe disassembled for lcleaning or the like. Said handle 20 when engaged by the handle l5 limits axial movement of the rod in its sheath or casing and the handle 20 likewise engages the object being cleaned instead of the hand with the resultant injury. If desired, projections 22 providing depressions therebetween may be provided in the handle 20 for affording a better gripping for thel lingers of the operator, and also the handle 20 may be provided with a plate or flared extremity forming a guard El to prevent scale, "sludge, or other accumulation within the tube from soiling thehand or clothing `of the operator. It will be readily understood that the guard El be constructed as a separate element if desired.

It will be further understood that the device of the present invention may be used in cleaning the interior of radiator tubes or for any other desired purpose and that it is a construction such that it can be used by an inexperienced person without injury due to striking the radiator with the ngers, causing injury thereto.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the described embodiment of the invention without de'- parting from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawing and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: I

1. A device for cleaning tubes of a radiator or the like comprising a relatively thin, flexible, narrow, elongated cleaning rod adapted to be inserted in and forced axially of a tube to be cleaned, a reinforcing and guiding housing enclosing said rod, a handle xed to'one end of said rod, said handle being hollow to surround the rod and housing and being guided by the housing, an inwardly extending connecting means secured to hence guiding of the rod'during manipulation of the same, and an enlargement secured to the `outer end portion of the second handle for shielding the operator against the contents of the tube being cleaned.

2. A device for cleaning tubes comprising an elongated tubular housing, a first tubular handle surrounding said housing and secured to one end thereof with the passages of said housing and iirs't handle 'being in alignment, a flat elongated flexible strip slidably positioned within said housing for movement from a projected position outwardly from said one end thereof to a position within said housing, said housing having an elongated slot formed in the wall thereof, a second handle ciroumposed about said housing and slidably mounted thereon for movement from the other end of said housing to said rst handle and means extending through said slot nxedly securing said second handle to the other end lof said fiat elongated strip whereby movement of said second handle causes said strip to project from said one end of saidV casing, said housing and first handle being formed with a flat passage at said one end of said first handle and merging into the passage of said housing whereby the strip will be guided into said flat passage.

JAMES SUTTON ROUSE.

References cited in the me of this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number yName Date 319,270 Lanyon June 2, 1885 654,204 Van Every July 24, 1900 673,527 Murphy May 7, 1901 1,218,690 Nilson Mar. 13, 1917 1,568,094 Shelburne Jan. 5, 1926 1,760,405 Grenna May 2'7, 1930 r2,237,880 Von Bon Horst et al. Apr. 8, 1941 

